The Role of Sudanese Political and Civil Society Leaders in the Conflict

 Aljazeera published on 29 September 2023 an article titled "Analysis: Can Sudan's Civilian Leaders Save Their Country from Collapse?" by Elfadil Ibrahim.

Following the outbreak of conflict between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), civilian groups have taken sides.  The Democratic Bloc, an offshoot of the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC), has sided with the SAF.  The FFC-Central Council appears to have aligned with the RSF, although its leaders insist it is neutral.  These and other divisions among Sudanese civilian leaders raise questions about their ability to assume leadership positions should they be given the opportunity.  

Challenges Facing Protesters in Sudan

 African Arguments published on 1 July 2022 a commentary titled "Why Sudan Protest Movement Has Toppled One but Not Yet Two Dictators" by Justin Lynch, writer and researcher living in Sudan.

The author explains why the Sudan protest movement was able to remove Omar al-Bashir from power in 2019 but has so far failed to do so with the current military leadership.  He cites three reasons:

--The goals of the protest movement have changed from specific interests in 2019 to much broader political change.

--The organization has changed from a grass roots movement to local resistance committees engaged in infighting.

--Protesters moved from demanding the removal of military leaders to getting the entire army out of politics.  

Sudan: Talks Resume between Military and Civilian Faction

 Al-Monitor published on 16 June 2022 an article titled "US, Saudi Arabia Broker Talks to Break Sudan's Coup Deadlock" by Marc Espanol. 

Sudan's military and one civilian faction met on 10 June for talks designed to break the deadlock on transitioning Sudan to civilian government.  The United States and Saudi Arabia brokered the talks, which are ongoing.  The gap remains wide between the two sides (actually three sides as an important civilian faction is boycotting the talks).  

Pro-democracy Protests Resume in Sudan

 The Associated Press published on 6 April 2022 an article titled "Sudanese Take to the Streets in Anti-coup Protests: 1 Killed" by Samy Magdy.

After several weeks of relative quiet in Sudan, pro-democracy protests against the military coup d'etat last October have again broken out in several cities in Sudan.

Youth Behind Protests in Sudan

 The Conversation published on 9 February 2022 a commentary titled "Sudan's Protestors Aren't Giving Up Despite Heavy Odds: Here's Why" by Lovise Aalen, Chr. Michelsen Institute, and Mai Azzam, Bayreuth University.

The protests in Sudan are driven by young people who have the energy to keep pushing and little faith that others will make change happen.  

Sudan: Protests against Military Government Just Don't Go Away

 Aljazeera published on 7 February 2022 an article titled "Sudan Anti-coup Protesters March in Khartoum, Other Cities."

Protests against the military government in Sudan have continued in the streets of Khartoum and other cities regularly since the military coup d'etat on 25 October 2021.  

Setback in Sudan Mediation Effort

 The Associated Press published on 4 February 2022 an article titled "Sudan Pro-democracy Group Denounces UN Mediation Efforts" by Noha Elhennawy.

In a setback to mediation of the political deadlock in Sudan between the military and civilian protest groups, the Sudanese Professionals Association, an important civilian pro-democracy group, has rejected the initiative led by the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS).

The Power of Sudan's Protest Movement

 The Christian Science Monitor published on 21 January 2022 an article titled "The Power Behind Sudan's Protests."

The article discusses the special spirit behind Sudan's protest movement and especially the role of women, youth, and professionals.  

Sudanese Pro-democracy Forces Split over UN-brokered Talks

 Aljazeera published on 16 January 2022 an article titled "Sudan Pro-democracy Faction Agrees to UN-brokered Talks."

The pro-democracy Forces of Freedom and Change agreed on 16 January to accept the offer by the UN mission to broker an end to the political deadlock with the military.  The pro-democracy Sudanese Professionals Association has rejected the UN offer.

Sudanese Security Forces Kill Seven More Protesters

 The Associated Press published on 17 January 2022 an article titled "Sudanese Forces Open Fire on Anti-coup Protesters, Killing 7" by Samy Magdy.

Sudanese security forces killed seven more civilian protesters on 17 January and wounded as many as 100.  

Large Street Demonstrations Continue in Sudan

 The New York Times published on 25 December 2021 an article titled "Anti-coup Protesters in Sudan Press Their Demands for Return to Civilian Rule" by Abdi Latif Dahir.

The restoration of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok to his position has not ended the large street protests in Sudan where the demand is for return to complete civilian rule.  

Are Sudan's Generals Serious about Civilian Rule?

 The PBS News Hour posted on 22 November 2021 an article titled "What Reinstating Sudan's Prime Minister Means for the Country."

This is a good discussion of the options following the decision by Sudan's military to reinstate the country's civilian prime minister.  It raises the question, however, whether a civilian government, free elections, and democracy are realistic prospects for Sudan.  

Sudanese Generals Blink; Protests May Continue Anyway

 The New York Times published on 21 November 2021 an article titled "Sudan's Military Frees Prime Minister Held for Weeks after Coup" by Declan Walsh.

Reuters covered the same story on 21 November 2021 in an article titled "Sudan Military Reinstates Prime Minister but Protests Continue" by Khalid Abdelaziz.

Sudan's generals released Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok from house arrest on 21 November, reinstated him as prime minister, agreed to release all political detainees, return to the power sharing agreement reached in 2019, and hold democratic elections as early as 2023.  Under the agreement, Hamdok is permitted to form a new government.

Protesters in the street are not convinced the military is serious and opposition from pro-democracy groups is continuing.  Sudan's largest political party, Umma, and the Forces for Freedom and Change have already rejected the deal.  The Sudanese Professionals Association called it "treacherous."  The United Nations welcomed the deal so long as it respects human rights and the rule of law.   

Sudan's Protest Movement Calls for Civilian Government Not Power-sharing

 The Washington Post published on 6 November 2021 an article titled "Sudan Activists Reject Power-sharing with Army, Call Strikes" by Fay Abuelgaasim and Samy Magdy.

Following the military coup d'etat in Sudan, the protest movement has now rejected the internationally backed effort to return to a power-sharing arrangement with the military and, instead, is calling for the direct establishment of civilian government.

Sudan: Can the Revolution Succeed?

Foreign Policy posted on 9 September 2019 a commentary titled "How to Make Sudan's Revolution Succeed" by Yasir Zaidan, National University of Sudan.

The author argues that if the military ultimately dismisses the political coalition with civilian organizations and tries to rule the nation alone, Sudan could return to the repression and corruption that haunted it for 30 years.

Negotiations to Resume in Sudan

Aljazeera posted on 29 June 2019 an update on the state of negotiations between the Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the Freedom and Change alliance titled "Sudan's Ruling generals Warn Opposition Ahead of 'Millions March'".

The article contains quotes from an interview I gave Aljazeera underlining that the international community needs to fully support the African Union and Ethiopian mediation between the TMC and Freedom and Change alliance.

US To Appoint Senior Sudan Advisor

Foreign Policy posted on 10 June 2019 an article titled "Accused of Inaction, Trump Team Set to Appoint Sudan Advisor" by Robbie Gramer and Justin Lynch.

In response to criticism that the United States is not sufficiently engaged in trying to resolve the crisis in Sudan, the Trump Administration reportedly will name former ambassador Donald Booth as senior advisor on Sudan to the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.

"Inside Story" Discussion of Sudan

Al Jazeera's Inside Story ran on 3 June 2019 a half hour discussion on Sudan with Aly Verjee, US Institute of Peace, Awol Allo, Keele University, and me. It covered the violence in Khartoum on 3 June and the role of international players such as the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.

Women Demand Equal Rights in Sudan

The Washington Post published on 26 April 2019 an article titled "Women of Sudan--'Suppressed by Any Means'--Are Protesting for Equal Rights in the Post-Bashir Era" by Max Bearak.

Sudanese women played a key role in the campaign to oust President Omar al-Bashir and are now demanding equal rights as the protesters negotiate with the military over the future of the country.

Sudan: Transition to Democracy or Military Control?

Foreign Policy posted on 11 April 2019 an article titled "In Sudan, a Transition to Democracy or a Military Power Play?" by Robbie Gramer, Justin Lynch, Colum Lynch, and Jefcoate O'Donnell.

The authors quote a variety of sources on the likely outcome of the removal of Omar al-Bashir from power in Sudan, but seem to be skeptical that the military will do the right thing and quickly turn over power to civilian rule.